Is Organic actually better or just more Expensive?!


Question: My family just turned on to an Organic craze. Now they buy anything and everything organic. To me it tastes different but I'm not entirely convinced that it's better for you. Sure the packages say "All Natural" or "100% organic" but I don't know. I just know that its way more expensive and I think it's worth it. I mean What is Organic anymore?


Answers: My family just turned on to an Organic craze. Now they buy anything and everything organic. To me it tastes different but I'm not entirely convinced that it's better for you. Sure the packages say "All Natural" or "100% organic" but I don't know. I just know that its way more expensive and I think it's worth it. I mean What is Organic anymore?

The benefits of organic products really depend on the product. For example, in Canada it is nearly pointless to buy organic dairy products because there are already strict regulations in place regarding the use of hormones in dairy cows. They aren’t nearly as pumped full of hormones as we think they are (it’s different in the US though). As for organic and free range meat and eggs, well, there’s actually no regulation stating that these animals need to be fed organic FEED, a loophole that means these animals may still be passing on dangerous pesticides and stuff indirectly to us anyway.

Ask the young girl in New York who found a live frog in her organic lettuce yesterday.

It really depends on what you are buying. Organic fruits & vegetables - some people really get their panties in a twist over these items. A lot of them think they are all naturally organic and doesn't take into effect what the growers use as fertilizer. Organic meat and chicken though - I tend to believe that is reliable from the articles I have read about it. It's just the way that the animals are treated, whether they are shot up with hormones and all that jazz. But to each their own, which is how it should be.

Organic means pesticide and hormone free. Most organics are great...although some of the "all natural" stuff is about the same as the regular.

It's more expensive because it's much harder to grow the product without the chemicals and extras we've come to just expect.

It is better for you, your family and the environment to use organics instead of pesticide and hormone laden foods.

organic just a phase! my gma cooked with nothing but lard ,ate everything with fatty fat butter, we ate beef w/ 3/4 inch thick fat layers on it. but saddly she only lived til she was 102 years old . maybe she shouldda ate more organic crap!!!!

Pay attention to the expiration dates on a regular carton of milk , and an organic carton of milk. Regular will have an expiration date of 1-2 weeks, organic 1-2 months. I believe that this is because there are little, if any, pesticides/hormones/antibiotics that break down and spoil the milk. Same with the organic veggies and fruits... it has been my experience that organic produce keeps longer because there aren't any extra factors to assist in breaking them down.
It is more expensive, but if you have a Trader Joe's nearby, a lot of times they will sell the organic products for much less than a regular grocery store would.

remember that "all naural" doesn't necessiarily(sp?) equate to "good for you."

Look at Ricin, THC, Nicotene, etc.

those are all natural and they are definately NOT good for you.

mostly it's marketing for the Rabbit Food and somewhat marketing, somewhat different treatment for the meats.

Just don't fall for Free-range eggs.

I don't remember reading about the herds of Chickens roaming the wilderness at any point in the past.

Organic can't hurt, that's for sure.

Most people die early from eating mostly fatty foods.
Some people live forever.

It's the same for smoking. There are people that smoke and live forever, but most don't.

Look at William Burroughs. The guy lived into his 90's as a heroin addict. That doesn't mean heroin is the key to life.

The point is, why eat organic? Well, why not? It won't hurt you at all.

And it's better for the environment.

organic usually means no pesticides, so yeah, no poisons on the food at any time

Organic is more healthy for you - especially the milk because it does not have all the added hormones and other things they put in there. "All Natural" doesn't mean it is good. Read the labels first on anything. Also on the packaged meat that you buy at Wal-Mart (ect) - they uses gases on the meat to keep it looking as fresh as it can --- GROSS!!!! Think about what all you are consuming.

it doesnt have pesticides that will lower your ammune system
and it makes you feel healthy!

Yes , organic is better for you.
You need less of organic products to satisfy the food cravings. Not always but I truly try to by organic meat, veggies, milk.
Amish products I like very much -I have a market nearby.
Any conventional food preparation had involved the fast buck principle. Livestock gets fast fed, growth hormons added, antibiotics.
Of course , if you feel that's all good for you, go ahead, eat conventional.
Also don't forget to slurp a bottle of coke on top of it :))

The thing that makes "organic" foods organic is the lack of CHEMICAL pesticides and fertilizers, or hormones and antibiotics in the case of meat. They are still grown with natural pesticides and fertilizers which dont work as well so the yield at harvest is smaller, thus more expensive. It is gaining popularity for this reason as well as supporting local growers, organically grown foods have no preservatives in them (usually) and are hard to transport. It is also important to know that the FDA has designated a difference between "all natural" and "organic". All natural just means that fewer chemicals were used where as organic(100% organic) has none. There are also different levels of organic which you can find out more about on the FDA website.

I don't know if it is the same in Canada as it is in the states...if it says "Certified Organic" then it isn't genetically modified, no pesticides were used, if it is meat, then the meat hasn't been eating grain full of pesticides.

When it comes to dairy and eggs (and meat), I think that its always better to go organic. Pork is especially bad, they get filled with hormones that are so toxic that they passed a law preventing the hormon injections for 3 months before slaughtering, but how bad is that meat for you?

In terms of quality, generally speaking, yes. Organic produce usually come from smaller farms whch tend to pay more attention to the quality rather than the quantity (and financial viability) of theri crop. However, it is often costlier to produce with higher quaility control so it costs more at the retail level.
But with the current high demand for such products, it is becoming more common to use the word "organic" as a marketing gimmick. In these cases, "organic" simply means no artificial pesticides or fertilizers were used regardless of the quality of the produce. In other wrds, less sincere producers are simply cashing in and charging exhorbitant prices for produce no better than mass produced products.
As always, caveat emptor - let the buyer beware.

It is always wise to learn about various types of fruits and veggies (and even meats) and ask the suppliers or retailers pointed questions about their products.. If they can't answer or don't seem to know what they are talking abnout, move on.

it doesn't have pesticides that will lower your immune system

and hopefully make you feel healthier





The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources